Abia Police Arrest Four for Child Trafficking Scheme

The Abia State Police Command arrested four suspects—Gladys Nathaniel (48), Victor Udochukwu (47), Chijioke Obunwa (59), and Onyeonoro Chinwe (43)—for alleged conspiracy, child stealing, and trafficking. Police Public Relations Officer Maureen Chinaka announced the arrests on behalf of Commissioner of Police Wilfred Afolabi.

The arrests occurred on 16/09/2026, following credible intelligence that led operatives from the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit to apprehend the suspects. They allegedly conspired to steal a 4-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and sold the infant.

The police successfully rescued both the mother and the baby, with the mother being released to her family for care and the infant placed in protective custody under the Ministry of Women Affairs. The suspects are currently in police custody, and an investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, with plans to charge them in court upon completion.